Lancman ‘explores’ run for Congress

In a bid to reclaim a Congressional seat once held by democrat Anthony Weiner, Assemblymember Rory Lancman has formed an “exploratory committee” with the Federal Election Committee — an action that many view as the first step toward a run for office.

The seat covers Brooklyn and Queens in the ninth district and has been the subject of redistricting rumors even before Republican representative Bob Turner won it in a Special Election last year.

Turner defeated Assemblymember David Weprin for the seat when it was vacated following Weiner’s sexting scandal. Many believed that the seat would be eliminated by redistricting, but now Lancman said that he sees this as an opportunity to send the Legislator a message.

“If I have the opportunity to run, my campaign is going to be about expanding economic opportunity, restoring fairness to our financial system and leveling the playing field which has been severely tilted in recent years to benefit the well-off and well-connected,” Lancman said. “Last year, the voters had an opportunity to send Washington a message. This year, they have the opportunity to send a serious Legislator who can deliver for our community.”

Now with Lancman throwing his hat in the ring, there is a good chance the seat will remain — despite legislative bickering over where to draw Congressional lines. And with the Congressional primary only four months away, potential candidates like Lancman cannot wait for the Legislature to act.

Lancman has authored 19 laws in five years in the State Legislature, covering everything from terrorism and sex offenders to homeowner and employee rights.

“People who work for a living deserve a Congress that works, too — and works for them,” he said. “Congress should be focused on tackling high unemployment, making college affordable and fixing an unfair tax code instead of wasting our time and our patience on theatrics over the debt ceiling and political gamesmanship.”